![\"Stolen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/XPB_1408304_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tValtteri Bottas has revealed his Cadillac was stolen during the Miami Grand Prix. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tValtteri Bottas has revealed his Cadillac was stolen during the Miami Grand Prix. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
The incident unfolded while the Cadillac driver was staying at an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale during the race weekend, where he had opted for a quieter base away from central Miami.<\/p>\n
Bottas explained on the What\u2019s Next podcast that he returned to his accommodation on Friday evening after on-track running, parked the vehicle in the driveway and left the keys inside the property before going to bed.<\/p>\n
The F1 veteran was alerted to the fact the car had been stolen when a friend who he was sharing the Airbnb with called on Saturday morning to ask where he had gone.<\/p>\n
Bottas said the SUV had disappeared from the driveway despite being locked and with the keys still inside the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went outside, opened the door. The Escalade has vanished. Keys are still inside on the table. I can see them like, \u2018What? What? How?\u2019\u201d he recounted.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo our car got stolen from the driveway of our Airbnb.\u201d<\/p>\n
The theft created immediate logistical issues for the weekend, with Bottas also discovering his paddock pass had been left inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n
He was able to reach the circuit after a replacement vehicle was arranged, although the incident escalated once officials realised what had been taken.<\/p>\n
The stolen SUV also contained access credentials that could have theoretically allowed entry into restricted areas at the circuit, prompting involvement from law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n
Bottas confirmed that the FBI was brought into the case and a full investigation was launched.<\/p>\n
He later revealed the vehicle was eventually recovered in a damaged state in a high-crime area of the city, with authorities believing it may have been used as a getaway vehicle before being dumped.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police and FBI got involved,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the parking pass, so somebody could have driven the car to the track. They had my pass, but they obviously weren\u2019t interested in the F1 race.<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently, they probably just did a crime with the car and dumped it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, in my mind, it must have been like a getaway car or something, you know?<\/p>\n
\u201cLike, it\u2019s sad that we lost the car, but it\u2019s pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the incident, additional security was reportedly stationed at the property for the remainder of the weekend as a precaution.<\/p>\n
Bottas also expressed surprise at how quickly the vehicle\u2019s tracking systems appeared to have been disabled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere must be a lot of technology involved. Like, how do you get into a car and immediately shut down the tracker, all these things? Impressive!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Valtteri Bottas completed the Miami Grand Prix in 18th place after the unusual weekend disruption.<\/p>\n